What you need to know
State-funded defence is available in cases defined by law, including administrative detention or arrest, detention in criminal proceedings, custody and imprisonment.
You may remain silent, refuse to sign documents you do not understand and meet your lawyer confidentially. Tell the lawyer about violence, ill-treatment or denial of medical care.
How legal aid can help
Understand your rights
Receive a confidential consultation and a clear explanation of the available procedures.
Prepare documents
Get help with applications, complaints, claims, appeals and other procedural documents.
Protect your interests
Where provided by law, a lawyer may defend you or represent your interests in court and before public authorities.
Matters you can raise
Detention and custody
Defence from the moment of actual detention and participation in procedural actions.
Mandatory defence
Appointment of a lawyer by an investigator, prosecutor, investigating judge or court.
Serving a sentence
Legal issues concerning sentence enforcement, detention conditions and protected rights.
Complaints about violations
Challenging unlawful actions, ill-treatment, lack of medical care or restricted communication.
How to start
Choose a safe contact channel
Call, write online or visit a legal aid bureau. You may apply where you actually live.
Explain what happened
Tell the lawyer what decision or action you need to challenge and what documents you currently have.
Confirm the legal ground
The lawyer will check eligibility, explain the scope of services and identify any supporting documents.
Do not delay your first consultation because documents are missing. Bring what you have, and tell the lawyer if contacting you by telephone or message could create a safety risk.
The right to free secondary legal aid and its scope are defined by Article 14 and other provisions of the Law of Ukraine “On Free Legal Aid”.